Chaise-Dieu-Du-Theil: Monastic Heritage and Trails

Chaise-Dieu-Du-Theil brings together the heritage of a former priory, a circular route for hikers and mountain bikers, and fishing opportunities at Le Moulin de Chaise Dieu. If you are looking for hotels for a stay, these different highlights can help you plan: monastic history, exploring the route, or fishing at the waterside grounds. The historical sites and activities give you concrete starting points for deciding what you want to focus on during your trip.

Traces of the former priory

The priory was founded in the 12th century by Hugues du Desert and affiliated with the Order of Fontevraud. The Chapelle Saint-Jean was the church of the former double monastery, located outside the convent. The terms “double monastery” and the chapel’s location describe two different aspects: the form of the monastery on the one hand, and the church outside the convent on the other.

A gateway building on the edge of the village’s main road is all that remains of the former monastery. A dovecote and other features also survive, though they are less visible from the public road. To get your bearings among the surviving architecture, it is therefore worth distinguishing the gateway building from the less visible remains.

The Chapelle Saint-Jean was listed as a historic monument in 1971 and is owned by a local heritage preservation association. The chapel contains paintings and objects from the former nuns’ priory. A bronze bell in the church of Chaise-Dieu-du-Theil was cast in 1575 and classified as a protected historic object on November 22, 1941. The dates mark different steps in the bell’s history: its creation and its later classification as a protected object.

The Mariette of Chaise-Dieu also has its own history: it was rebuilt in 1826 after a traffic accident. Its two niches depict different scenes. To the west is a Madonna and Child; to the east, a Lamentation. The cardinal directions precisely locate the two depictions.

Circular Route and Landscape

Chaise-Dieu-du-Theil lies in an area designated as a “site inscrit.” The “Autour de Chaise-Dieu” circular route starts at Place Albert-de-Selle-de-Beauchamp, is 5.8 km long, and takes an average of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The distance and average duration offer concrete guidance for planning your time; check the route details again before setting out.

The route is suitable for hiking and mountain biking. Its paths are lined with hedgerows and pollarded willows, which are typical of this region of Normandy. Hiking and mountain biking are therefore two ways to use the same circular route; the stated distance refers to the full circuit.

Water and Fishing at Le Moulin

The grounds of Le Moulin de Chaise Dieu cover 12 hectares and include 3 km of river. They also comprise Lac Émilie and five interconnected bodies of water, continuously fed by the Iton. So, alongside the river, the grounds also feature a named lake and interconnected bodies of water.

At Le Moulin, you can fish with dry flies, boobies, nymphs and streamers. Introductory sessions, seminars and fly-casting fishing are available by reservation. As fishing conditions and offerings can change, check them before your trip and arrange any reservation-only activities in advance.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierre-Du-Vauvray, La Haye-Malherbe, Appeville-Annebault, Jouy-sur-Eure, Bois-Jérôme-Saint-Ouen, Vieux-Port, Villerest, Quillebeuf-Sur-Seine.

For the broader travel overview: Eure.